A poll by a Democratic pollster and commissioned by a Democratic Super PAC shows Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) leading all three potential Republican challengers in the Missouri senate race.
The statewide survey was conducted last week by the Mellman Group on behalf of Majority PAC. In the poll, McCaskill tops state treasurer Sarah Steelman (R) 45 percent to 36 percent, John Brunner 46 percent to 38 percent and Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) 44 percent to 39 percent. Steelman is the favorite to win the Republican nomination.
The Missouri senate race is viewed as a crucial challenge for Democrats, whose hopes of retaining a majority in the United States Senate will partly depend on McCaskill winning re-election. McCaskill is nearing the end of her first term after being elected by a thin margin in 2006. The TPM Poll Average currently shows the Democratic incumbent with a slight lead over Steelman.
